Chap. 0022 AN ACT IN ADDITION TO THE SEVERAL ACTS OR LAWS FOR THE SUPPRESSING OF LOTTERIES.
Preamble. 1710-20, chap. 8, 1702-33, chap. 14.
Penalty for publishing lottery tickets of other governments.
Penalty for selling lottery tickets.
Penalty for buying lottery tickets.
Person inform, ing, to be freed.
Whereas clivers good and wholesome laws have been made and pass'd by this governm[en]t for suppressing of lotteries, and thereby preventing a vain and foolish expence, tending to the impoverishment of unwary people ; which laws are in a great measure rendrcd ineffectual by the lotteries which are frequently set up in the neighbouring governments, and b}' the sale of such lottery tickets to the inhabitants of this province,-
Be it therefore enacted by the Lieutenant-Governour, Council and House of Representatives,
[Sect. 1.] That if any person or persons, after the tenth clay of May next, shall, within this province, be aiding or assisting in any lottery, by printing, writing, or any other ways publishing an account of the sale of such lottery ticket or tickets, such person or persons shall for such offence forf[ie][ei]t a sum not exceeding twenty pounds, to be recovered by information, plaint, bill or action at law, in any of his majesty's courts of record within this province ; the one half thereof to his majesty, to be applied towards the support of this governm[e?i]t, and the other half to him or them that shall inform and sue for the same.
And be it further enacted,
[Sect. 2.] That if any person or persons shall within this province give, sell, or otherwise dispose of, or shall therein offer or expose to sale any ticket or tickets in any lottery, excepting such as shall be established by act of parliament, or by act of this governm[e?i]t, such person or persons so offending, shall forfeit a sum not exceeding forty pounds for each ticket so given, sold or disposed of, or so exposed to sale, to be recovered in manner and for the use aforesaid.
And be it further enacted,
[Sect. 3.] That if any person or persons within this province, shall receive or purchase any such lottery ticket or tickets, such person or persons shall likewise forfeit a sum not exceeding forty pounds for each ticket so received, or purchased by him or them, to be likewise recovered and applied as in manner aforesaid.
Provided, nevertheless,-
[Sect. 4.] That if such receiver or publisher shall inform against or prosecute the person or persons who gave, sold or disposed of the same, so as that he or they shall be convicted of said offence, such receiver or purchaser shall not in that case be liable to the penalty aforesaid, but shall be wholly freed and exempted therefrom. [Passed April 12 ; published April 14, 1753.